Wingwalking, WWI mock 'dogfights', a deafening Eurofighter Typhoon display and incredible manoeuvrability from the A380 Airbus were also part of the programme

The Red Arrows provided a thrilling centrepiece to the flying display on the first of the public days at the 2014 Farnborough Air Show.

The nine-aircraft elite team defied the weatherman's warning of afternoon storms, jousting around the Hampshire sky in their full aerobatic routine, to the delight of the crowds.

They followed a programme which included routines by aircraft from the pioneer days of jet aviation, as well as a display from the Breitling Wingwalkers, a nod to the 1920s barnstorming days of American aviation.

Particularly poignant in this centenary year of the outbreak of the First World War was a mock 'dogfight' by a swarm of replica fighter planes of that era.

“This is the best dogfight display I’ve ever seen,” said Christopher Ogden, a truck driver from Maidenhead and aviation enthusiast.

“When you see those tri-planes flying about the first thought you have is 'the Red Baron', then you look over and see the A380 taking off and it reminds you how far we have come.”

The double-decker passenger giant, which has an 80m wingspan, took off to cheers from onlookers, and proceeded to execute a seemingly impossible display of tight manoeuvres relatively close to the ground.

As well as marvelling at the airborne entertainment, the Saturday crowd crawled over dozens of static aircraft, from an old British Army gazelle helicopter to fighter jets from across the decades.

The air show concluded with displays from the elite RAF fighter aircraft from both the past and present era, with a deafening display from the ultra-agile Eurofighter Typhoon, followed by the sonorous roar of the iconic Supermarine Spitfire.

She has been editorial director of the online and print titles in Surrey and north-east Hampshire since 2007. Marnie previously worked at the BBC as a producer for 5 Live, having moved to national radio from BBC Sussex and Surrey.